Leather car seats... your experience

[loisg1]

We went car shopping yesterday. DH has about a 2 1/2 hr commute each day. We've always had manual transmission cars and he wants an AT. Also his car is a '95 with 140,000 miles on it.

We decided on an '04 4-dr Accord and the model with leather seats has some really nice extras that would make the commute safer and just more enjoyable. In addition to the heated seats for winter, it has the XM satellite radio.

We're wondering if the radio is really that great b/c the route he takes has really bad radio reception. Also, will the leather last? We've never had a problem with cloth seats but I keep thinking leather.... We won't be getting rid of the car anytime soon.

Thanks for any suggestions
Lois

 

[Chattyaholic]

I never had a vehicle with leather seats, until I bought my '99 Blazer. The "heated seats" in the front was one of the options that sold me on the vehicle. Works beautifully in the winter, nice to have a warm bum!!

I thought that leather seats might be really hot in the summer, but they're not, not like vinyl would be.

Mine are still in perfect shape, even though I haven't used leather cleaner on them...I know I should but I just never get around to it....

The only thing I can think of that might be hard on the leather would be kids' toys, if they accidentally poke a hole in the leather, or if pet's nails would, I don't know. I love mine though and wouldn't hesitate to get another vehicle with them.

 

[legs22]

I had velour cloth seats for 10 yrs in a Honda Accord that looked great til the day I sold the car.
Friends conviced me to get leather in my current car that is 2 yrs. old(Camry). If clothes are not covering the backs of your legs, you stick to the seat and get sweaty. (You could use a towel). If clothes are covering the backs of your legs, you slide in and out of the car nicely. I use Lexol products on the leather. Have not had a problem with the leather but it's only been 2 yrs. Was it worth the extra cost and longer car payments? I don't know at this point.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I love the leather. Personal preference I suppose. Esp. when you take the kids swimming and you know that it won't soak in. No more wet seats. Wipe up spills easily, no more coffee stained seats.
I have the heated seats and it is great for the winter. New car leather is heaven to smell.

I don't have XM but I wish I did.

 

[loisg1]

I know DH is sold on the leather and the extras that go with it. So since it will be his car... usually the new car is mine and he gets the 'old' one.

Welcome all of your responses
Lois

 

[Lewski709]

I have 2 small kids and love love love my leather. Got it a year ago and it is so much easier to care for over cloth. You just wipe it down. The seats do get hot from the son, but I'd rather have the leather than cloth anyday.

 

[BWVDenise]

I just bought the 2004 Honda Accord EX which has leather and I love the car.

 

[LindaG4458]

I had a 1986 Chrysler Lebaron with leather seats that I drove for 6 years. We had two dogs that rode in tha back seat all of the time. The upholstery was in perfect condition when I traded the car.

We haven't had leather since that time because I wanted a sun roof and it was one thing or the other. I'm working on having both in the next car.

 

[RUDisney]

My van has cloth seats. DH's uncle owns a junkyard and we've asked him to be on the lookout for replacement seats from a wreck that might come in that would fit my van. Plus, I'm one mag wheel away from having a full set.

DH got his leather seats for his Durango that way.

This is a good option for others, too. You can have your leather but not have to pay full price for it. The only thing is... my seats won't be heated.

 

[Boots]

We now have our second car with leather seats and love them! I had always heard hot in the summer and cold in the winter, but I don't find this to be true. This car we have now has an option to warm the seats up in the winter. Roasty, toasty!!! I would definately get them!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Leather for quite a number of years, quite a number of cars, never a problem.

 

[Tina]

We had leather in our 2001 Jetta (with the heated seats) and it was great. I used the leather cleaner/conditioner stuff about 2 to 3 times per year and kept the seats looking brand new. I loved having leather, unfortunately, the car was a piece of crap and we got rid of it.

As for the XM, go for it! We've had XM in both of our cars for a couple of years now. Once you go XM, you'll never go back!! Its fantastic.

 

[dcentity2000]

Ah, leather...

Squeeka squeeka squeeka... Who's making all that noise... Sorry, just trying to get comfy... Squeeka squeeka squeeka... C'Mon, settle down now... OK, OK, just a minute... Squeeka squee... There, all done now... Thank goodness... Squeeka... Arrrrggh!

Aside from that, leather's nice to have



Rich::

 

[katerkat]

Our Honda Pilot has leather seats and we LOVE them. (Heated, too.) We've only had it for six months, though, so I don't have long term data. We bought them for the convinence - we'll be having kids eventually and we wanted something easy to clean!

 

[crz4mm2]

I have an 04 Accord also. LOVE it. Got the heated leather seats too. That was a must have on my list.
I don't care about the XM radio. GUess it would be good if you had poor reception, but I just switch to CD in that case. I won't be keeping the XM past the intro period.

Go for the leather. A bit of heaven in your daily drive.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

We have been getting leather interiors in our cars for years, wouldn't have anything else. They are much easier to keep clean than cloth, and more comfortable than vinyl. We usually don't keep cars for a really long time, but one of our cars we bought used, and it is 7 years old-the leather is fine...

To protect the spot where the kid's car seats can make indentations in the leather, I put a non skid thin rug, and on top of that a vinyl car mat. Then the car seats.. They don't move, and they prevent the car seats from permanently denting the leather...

I discovered after owning my car for a year that the driver's seat had a heating option to it. Found out on a South Carolina August-95 degree day when I turned it on accidently..Whewww!!! That may be a nice option up north, but down here-totally unnecessary.. To help with legs sticking to the seat (or chilly winter days) we put a towel down to sit on....works great, and helps with the wear and tear....

 

[JVL1018]

I don't like leather seats-I slip and slide on them while driving/riding in a car, it's very odd! LOL
The last new car we got came with leather seats and I had to downgrade to cloth, just my preferance.

 

[sk!mom]

Never again. They lasted well, were easy to clean, but too hot for a place that is almost always hot. I got tired of burning my butt.

 

[Pin Wizard]

Fabric for me! I remember being a kid and burning my legs on the leather seats...ouch! Don't like them at all. I agree...I slide on them also.

 

[Aimeedyan]

Loving my leather! And I live in the heart of Texas. there are occasional days in which my legs get burnt if I leave my car in the sun for awhile and are wearing shorts, but not often enough to trade in for the cloth hassles... The positive surely outweighs the negative to me!